New UTEP football coach Sean Kugler wanted to set a tone with his first recruiting class, and several traits were evident with the 18 players he rolled out on Wednesday's National Signing Day.

Four are from El Paso (Burges' Alvin and Aaron Jones, Andress' Ryan Metz and Franklin's Derek Elmendorff) and 12 total are from Texas, the areas UTEP wants to mine.

Though 14 of the 18 players are high schoolers, Kugler said that ratio should increase in the future. He talked about character, strong families and good academics.

Then Kugler said the words Miner fans probably most want to hear.

"They are good football players," he said. "They are productive high school players and that's what we're looking for. Productive high school players will be productive college players as well."

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Bret Bloomquist

On the paragraph bios UTEP released on each of the 18 players, only two were considered three-star recruits by the major services -- fullback Darrin Laufasa from Bothell High in Washington and Dallas Carter defensive back Jaylon Scott. But, those bios also came with impressive lists of stats and high school honors.

Take, for example, the first player Kugler recruited, North Allegheny, Pa., quarterback Mack Leftwich, the son of new Miner offensive line coach Spencer Leftwich. Kugler's son Patrick played alongside Mack and Kugler saw all of North Allegheny's games.

Generously listed at 5-foot-11, Letwich's best offer was from Stephen F. Austin, despite throwing 45 touchdowns and four interceptions for a state champion last year. But, when Kugler got the UTEP job, he went straight after the reigning Pennsylvania state player of the year.

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"I got to see every snap he took, every ball he threw," Kugler said. "Before I knew I was going to get this job I said, 'Given the chance at Division I football, he's going to tear it up.' The first thing I did when I got the opportunity to coach at UTEP was to offer him a scholarship."

"It's been my dream to be a Division I quarterback, and because (Kugler) got the job, I get that opportunity," said Leftwich, who was 30-1 in two years as a starter. "Leadership and the ability to win, especially at the quarterback position, is something that's really important and something I'm going to bring."

The other thing he gets is the opportunity to be on a team with his father, which is a first for both of them.

"It's going to be fun seeing him every day, being around him," Mack Leftwich said. "Not many coaches get the opportunity to coach with their son, not many kids get the chance to play with their dad."

While Kugler indicated four junior college players may not be normal going forward, he was optimistic they would make an immediate impact.

Two of them, Riverside (Calif.) cornerback Nick Guth rite and Cisco (Texas) offensive lineman Chris Thomas are already on campus, and Thomas has three years of eligibility remaining, plus an available redshirt.

Guthrite's community college teammate, safety Jameel Erving, and Mount San Antonio College (Calif.) defensive tackle Peter Nonu are the other junior college signees.

"When we bring in junior college players, we bring them in with expectations they are going to compete to start," Kugler said.

Having two already on campus is a bonus.

"I'm really enjoying it here, I like the environment," said Guthrite, who is already doing conditioning and weightlifting with the Miners. "I felt like I had a good connection with the coaches. Coach (Gabe) Franklin is the one I've talked with the most.

"(Erving and Guthrite are) excited, we wanted to go to school together. Having my best friend with me will really help."

Cornerback is probably the defensive position where UTEP needs the most immediate help. The offensive position where the Miners are starting anew is fullback, which didn't exist the previous nine years.

Kugler said the 6-1, 240 pound Laufasa "looks like a junior," but also said he would like to redshirt all the freshmen if possible.

The other three-star high school recruit, Scott, said he can't wait to get to El Paso.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to play college football," he said. "I'm looking to get away from Dallas and I have some friends there. I can't wait to get going."

Defensive tackle Dewan Edmon son from Manvel High voiced a similar sentiment.

"I'm happy. I'm ready to be part of the Miner family," he said. "I'm excited about the upcoming season, me and all the other recruits. There's been a lot of change now with all the new coaches. We're ready to get it turned around."

Kugler feels he's already taken a step in that direction and said he enjoyed the entire process of assembling the class of 18.

"I love the game of football, I love everything about it," he said. "I love recruiting, I love going to the weight room with these guys, I love going on the field with these guys."

The hope is that passion translates into a new class of future Miner stars.

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359. Follow him on Twitter @bretbloomquist